DNA structure Flashcards
what does DNA stand for?
deoxyribonucleic acid
what is DNA?
the genetic material found in the nucleus of a cell
what does DNA do?
stores the genetic information and controls cells activities
what does DNA contain?
the instructions for building all proteins within an organism
what is DNA made up of?
2 strands coiled around to make a double helix
what are the strands formed by?
a sugar phosphate backbone with bases joined together by complementary base pairing
what type of bases are they?
nitrogenous bases
what is DNA expressed as in prokaryotes?
in the cytoplasm in the form of a circular chromosome and many small plasmids
what are nucleotides?
a sugar (deoxyribose), a phosphate and a nitrogenous base
what are the 4 types of nitrogenous base?
adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine
why does cell division and protein synthesis rely on the base pairing rules?
each half of the DNA double helix acts as a template to be copied in order to create a complete new double helix
what are the nucleotides joined together by?
covalent bonds
where is DNA found?
in the nucleus of the cell
what instructions does DNA contain?
the instructions for building all proteins within an organism
what is adenine paired to?
thymine
